League One Preview: Peterborough United take on Swindon, leaders Bolton face Southend

In the early League One kick-off today, Peterborough United take on Swindon Town at the ABAX Stadium, London Road.

Grant McCann’s side are picking up after a sluggish start to the season, seeing off Milton Keynes Dons 2-0 in their last outing. McCann has been busy in the transfer market signing Barnsley midfielder George Moncur and Tottenham goalkeeper Luke McGee and winger Nathan Oduwa on loan until January.

Moncur is probably feeling slightly humbled after turning down Peterborough last summer in favour of moving to the South Yorkshire club instead – two appearances later – he seems to have cut his losses. Swindon know a win would take them above Peterborough, they will be looking to Sean Murray for inspiration – the young midfielder has signed from Premier League Watford on a free transfer, so expect plenty of work rate and shots from distance.

Peterborough’s wheeling and dealing on deadline day also saw goalkeeper Ben Alnwick join leaders Bolton Wanderers. Bolton are top of the league and facing an out of sorts Southend United side today. The Trotters want to push the gap between themselves and the rest of the division as wide as possible.

The recruitment of wingers Sammy Ameobi and James Henry on loan until January, plus striker Keshi Anderson and defender Tom Thorpe on season-long loan deals will not have made the task of challengers any easier.

The most intriguing encounter of the afternoon sees fifth-placed Millwall host second-placed Bradford City at The Den. The Bantams have signed striker Marc McNulty from Sheffield United on a season-long loan and Newcastle United forward Haris Vuckic until January ahead of this game, whilst Millwall have been quieter in the loan market, perhaps already happy with the squad they’ve managed to put in place to make an assault on the title this year.

Port Vale sit fourth and will travel to Bury. Vale have signed former Benfica B goalkeeper Miguel Santos and winger Gezim Shalaj from Dinamo Bucharest, who have both been training with the club – both should appear if international clearance is granted in time. Bury have signed versatile Manchester City centre-back Kean Bryan and Bolton midfielder Tom Walker on season-long loan deals, but striker Nicky Clark has left for Dunfermline.

Fleetwood Town take on Coventry at Highbury. The Cod Army are playing well and have signed Watford striker Alex Jakubiak, Sheffield United defender Kieran Wallace and midfielder Kyle Dempsey on a season-long loan from Championship leaders Huddersfield to aid their cause.

Coventry on the other hand are still winless, but have signed West Brom striker Andre Wright on loan until January and also Newcastle full-back Jamie Sterry, who goes straight into the squad alongside former colleague Gael Bigirimana, who signed on loan a week earlier from the Magpies, hoping for a change in fortunes.

Shrewsbury Town are in a similar position to the Sky Blues in the league and have turned to a familiar face for assistance. Fulham defender Jack Grimmer arrives for his third spell at the club on a season-long loan – last year he managed to keep the team in League One, will he be able to do it again?

League One leaders bolstered their goalkeeping ranks with the signing of Peterborough’s Alnwick earlier this week – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

He’ll have help, Chesterfield striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake also arrived this week on loan until January. It’s not uncommon behaviour to go back to what you know, and Shrews’ opponents today, Oldham Athletic, have tried the same trick. Oldham have re-signed full-back Cameron Dummigan from Burnley for an undisclosed fee, after three loan spells with the Latics last season – but Crystal Palace striker Freddie Ladapo has arrived too to share the load.

Below Shrewsbury and Coventry lurk Rochdale. Dale have been quieter in the transfer window, but have signed midfielder Keith Keane on loan from Cambridge United until January. He will travel with the squad to the Kassam Stadium today hoping to make a good impression against Oxford United.

The U’s have former Motherwell winger Marvin Johnson available after signing him for an undisclosed fee, as is Everton midfielder Ryan Ledson, who has signed on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee and Chesterfield’s Charlie Raglan too, who has come on loan until January.

The final game today sees bottom side AFC Wimbledon lock horns with Chesterfield. No new arrivals this week for the Dons, which makes you wonder if Neal Ardley feels this current crop of players can turn things around. It’s hard to tell if a 3-0 win against Swansea City’s Under 21s in the bizarrely structured EFL Trophy this week is a sign of more positive things to come, but Ardley will be hoping Ched Evans has left his shooting boots at home.

Chesterfield have signed Burnley centre-back Tom Anderson on loan until the end of the season and Bolton striker Conor Wilkinson until January – they’ll be confident of taking three points away from the Kingsmeadow.

No such problems for the Dons of Milton Keynes as they travel to Northampton town in Sunday’s early game. They have signed winger Ryan Colclough and defender Jack Hendry on loan from Wigan Athletic, the former helping the Latics back into the Championship last year.

Spireites striker Evans has scored four goals in five league outings this season – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

They have however lost centre-back Scott Wootton for up to nine months after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament. Their hosts have signed midfielder Paul Anderson on a one-year deal after he left League One rivals Bradford City by mutual consent – he certainly has the pedigree to swing games at this level.

In the later game tomorrow, Gillingham welcome Sheffield United to Priestfields. The Gills have signed AFC Bournemouth defender Baily Cargill on loan until January 2017, whilst Sheffield United have signed Wolverhampton Wanderers centre-back Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Burnley left-back Daniel Lafferty on season-long loan deals.

All change, all change. Who’s new recruits will settle quickest?